DCIT, New Delhi V. M/s Leroy Somer & Controls (India) P Ltd., New Delhi

ITA 1330/DEL/2011

• Counselvise Citation: [2011] 140 COUNSELVISE.COM (IT) 52886 (ITAT-DELHI)
• Duration Of Justice: 6 month(s) 15 day(s)
• Appeal Type: Income Tax Appeal
• Pronouncement Date: 30-09-2011
• Appeal Filed By: Department
• Order Result: Dismissed
• Bench Allotted: D
• Next Hearing Date: 28-09-2011
• Assessment Year: 2005-2006
• Appeal Filed On: 15-03-2011
• Result in Favour of: Assessee
• Court: TRIBUNAL
• Department Lawyers: N K CHAND
• Assessee Lawyers: ANIL BHALLAAR
• Keywords: Transfer pricing; International transaction; Reasonable cause
• Section: 92C; 273B; 92D; 92E; 27; 92

Judgement Text

IN THE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL DELHI BENCH 'D' BEFORE SHRI C.L.SETHI,JM & SHRI A N PAHUJA,AM ITA NO.1330/DEL/2011 (ASSESSMENT YEAR:-2005-06) DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF INCOME-TAX, CIRCLE-4(1), ROOM NO. 407,CR BUILDING,IP ESTATE, NEW DELHI V/S MS.LEROY SOMER & CONTROLS (INDIA) (P) LTD., 222, OKHLA INDL. AREA, NEW DELHI-20 PAN: AAACA 2665 C [APPELLANT] [RESPONDENT] ASSESSEE BY :- SHRI ANIL BHALLA,AR REVENUE BY:- SHRI N.K. CHAND, DR DATE OF HEARING 29-09-2011 DATE OF PRONOUNCEMENT 30-09-2011 O R D E R A N PAHUJA: THIS APPEAL FILED ON 15.3.2011 BY THE REVENUE AGAI NST AN ORDER DATED 31-01-2011 OF THE LD. CIT(APPEALS)-X X, NEW DELHI, FOR THE ASSESSMENT YEAR 2005-06, RAISES THE FOLLO WING GROUNDS:- 1 THE ORDER OF THE LEARNED CIT(A) IS ERRONEOUS AND C ONTRARY TO FACTS AND LAW. 2 ON THE FACTS AND IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE A ND IN LAW, THE LEARNED CIT(A) HAS ERRED IN DELETING THE PENALTY OF ` `22,20,100/- LEVIED BY THE ASSESSING OFFICER U/S 271G OF THE INCOME-TAX ACT. 2.1 THE LEARNED CIT(A) HAS IGNORED THE FINDING RECORDED BY THE ASSESSING OFFICER AND THE FACT THAT THE ASSESSEE DID NOT MAIN TAIN THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS PRESCRIBED UNDER RULE 10D READ WITH SECTI ON 92D(3) OF THE INCOME-TAX ACT. 3 THE APPELLANT PRAYS FOR LEAVE TO ADD, AMEND, MODIFY OR ALTER ANY GROUNDS OF APPEAL AT THE TIME OF OR BEFORE HEARING OF THE APPEAL. 2. ADVERTING TO GROUND NOS. 2 & 2.1 IN THE APPEAL, FACTS IN BRIEF, AS PER RELEVANT ORDERS ARE THAT RETURN DECLARING INCOME OF ` `3,85,66,522/- FILED ON 31 ST OCTOBER, 2005 BY THE ASSESSEE, MANUFACTURING ALTERN ATORS ,AFTER BEING PROCESSED U/S 143(1) OF THE INCOME-TAX ACT, 1961 (HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS THE ACT), WAS ITA NO.1330 /DEL/2011 2 2 SELECTED FOR SCRUTINY WITH THE SERVICE OF A NOTICE U/S 143(2) OF THE ACT ISSUED ON 25 TH OCTOBER, 2006 . THE ASSESSMENT IN THIS CASE WAS C OMPLETED WITH THE DISALLOWANCE OF ` `2,50,000/- ON ACCOUNT OF CASH DISCOUNT. THROUGH A REFERENCE WAS MADE TO TRANSFER PRICING PFFICER[TPO] U/S 92CA OF THE ACT, NO ADVERSE INFERENCE WAS DRAWN. HOWEVER, ON THE RECOMMENDATIO N OF TPO, THE ASSESSING OFFICER[AO IN SHORT] INITIATED PENALTY PROCEEDINGS U/S 271G OF THE ACT FOR DELAY IN SUBMISSION OF SOME DOCUMENTATION. IN RESPONSE TO A SHOWCAUSE NOTICE DATED 22 ND JUNE, 2009 BEFORE LEVY OF PENALTY, THE ASSESSEE RE PLIED THAT TPO HAD ALREADY REVIEWED THE TRANSFER PRICING DOCUMENTATION MAINTAINED BY THE ASSESSEE AND CONCLUDED THAT NO ADVERSE INFERENCE NEED BE DRA WN. HOWEVER, THE AO DID NOT ACCEPT THE SUBMISSIONS OF THE ASSESSEE AND IMPO SED A PENALTY OF ` ` 22,20,100/- @2% OF THE VALUE OF INTERNATIONAL TRAN SACTIONS, AMOUNTING TO ` ` 11,10,04,980/-. 3. ON APPEAL, THE LEARNED CIT(A) CANCELLED THE PENA LTY IN THE FOLLOWING TERMS:- A PERUSAL OF THE ORDER OF THE TPO INDICATES VERY C LEARLY THAT HE HAD NO GRIEVANCE OR OBJECTIONS IN REGARD TO FURNISHING OF ANY INFORMATION OR DOCUMENT AS REQUIRED BY SUB-SECTION (3) OF SECTI ON 92D. AS A MATTER OF FACT HE HAS ACCEPTED THE TRANSFER PRICING REPORT OF THE ASSESSEE COMPANY. THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 271G READ AS UNDER: 271G. IF ANY PERSON WHO HAS ENTERED IN TO AN INTER NATIONAL TRANSACTION FAILS TO FURNISHED ANY SUCH INFORMATION OR DOCUMENT AS REQUIRED BY SUB- SECTION (3) OF SECTION 92D, THE ASSESSING OFFICER O R THE CIT(A) MAY DIRECT THAT SUCH PERSON SHALL PAY, BY WAY OF PENALTY, A SU M EQUAL TO TWO PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF THE INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTION FOR E ACH SUCH FAILURE. THE ASSESSING OFFICER HAS NOT EXPLAINED THE GRIEVAN CE AS TO THE FILING OF DOCUMENTS. THE TPO HAS NOT MENTIONED ANY GRIEVANCE IN HIS ORDER IN REGARD TO FILING OF DOCUMENTS. THE AC TION OF THE ASSESSING OFFICER IN LEVYING PENALTY IS UNCALLED FO R. REFERENCE IS INVITED TO THE DECISION OF CARGIL INDIA PRIVATE LTD . 300 ITR (AT) 223 (DEL.). THE HONBLE BENCH HAS STATED THAT THE ASSE SSING OFFICER CAN NOT LEVY PENALTY A BLAND STATEMENT WITHOUT EXPL AINING THE DEFAULT IN DETAIL. ITA NO.1330 /DEL/2011 3 3 FINDING AFTER CONSIDERING THE ABOVE FACTS THE ACTION OF THE ASSESSING OFFICER IN LEVYING THE PENALTY OF RS.22,20,100/- IS UNCALLE D FOR AND IS NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FACTS AND LAW AND ABOVE ALL IT IS CONTRARY TO WHAT THE TPO HAS STATED IN HIS ORDER. HENCE, THE PENALTY IMPOSED U/S 271G IS DELETED. 4. THE REVENUE IS NOW IN APPEAL BEFORE US AGAINST T HE AFORESAID FINDINGS OF LEARNED CIT(A). THE LEARNED DR WHILE REFERRING TO NOTICE DATED 13.12.2007[INCORRECTLY MENTIONED AS 13.12.2008] SUP PORTED THE ORDER OF THE AO, LEVYING PENALTY AND FURTHER CONTENDED THAT THE ASSE SSEE DELAYED FILING OF NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION AS OBSERVED BY THE TPO..ON THE OTHER HAND, THE LEARNED AR ON BEHALF OF THE ASSESSEE SUPPORTED THE FINDINGS OF LEARNED CIT(A) AND CONTENDED THAT PENALTY HAS BEEN IMPOSED MERELY ON TECHNICAL GROUNDS. 5. WE HAVE HEARD BOTH THE PARTIES AND GONE THR OUGH THE FACTS OF THE CASE.. THE ISSUE BEFORE US RELATES TO VALIDITY OF LEVY O F PENALTY OF ` ` 22,20,100/- IMPOSED U/S 271G OF THE ACT FOR NOT FURNISHING INF ORMATION AND DOCUMENTS WITHIN THE TIME SPECIFIED IN NOTICE U/S 92D(3) OF THE ACT. BEFORE PROCEEDING FURTHER, WE MAY HAVE A LOOK AT THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS GOVERNIN G MAINTENANCE OF INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS AND THEIR SUBMISSION BEFORE THE REVEN UE AUTHORITIES FOR DETERMINING THE ALP. THE AO/TPO REQUIRES CERTAIN IN FORMATION AND DOCUMENTS ON CONTROLLED AND UNCONTROLLED INTERNATIONAL TRANSA CTIONS AND OTHER RELEVANT EVIDENCE. IN THIS CONNECTION RELEVANT RULE 10D OF I NCOME-TAX RULES,1962 LAYS DOWN AS UNDER: RULE 10D. INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS TO BE KEPT AND MAINTAINED UNDER SECTION 92D. (1) EVERY PERSON WHO HAS ENTERED INTO AN TIME/FORM WHEN INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTION SHALL KEEP AND MAINTAIN INFORMATION IS TO THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS, NAMELY:- BE FURNISHED AS PER CLAUSE. ITA NO.1330 /DEL/2011 4 4 NO.1 NO.2 (A) A DESCRIPTION OF THE OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE OF THE ASSESSEE ENTERPRISE WITH DETAILS OF SHARES OR OTHER OWNERSHIP INTEREST HELD THEREIN BY OTHER ENTERPRISES; (A) IN THE AUDIT REPORT ON FORM 3CEB. (B) A PROFILE OF THE MULTINATIONAL GROUP OF WHICH T HE ASSESSEE ENTERPRISE IS A PART ALONG WITH THE NAME, ADDRESS, LEGAL STATUS AND COUNTRY TO TAX RESIDENCE OF EACH OF THE ENTERPRISES COMPRISED IN THE GROUP WITH WHOM INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS HAVE BEEN ENTERED INTO BY THE ASSESSEE, AND OWNERSHIP LINKAGES AMONG THEM; (B) SAME (C) A BROAD DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS OF THE ASSESSEE AND THE INDUSTRY IN WHICH THE ASSESSEE OPERATES, AND OF THE BUSINESS OF THE ASSOCIATED ENTERPRISES WITH WHOM THE ASSESSEE HAS TRANSACTED; (C) SAME - (D) THE NATURE AND TERMS (INCLUDING PRICES) OF INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS ENTERED INTO WITH EACH ASSOCIATED ENTERPRISE, DETAILS OF PROPERTY TRANSFERRED OR SERVICES PROVIDED AND THE QUANTUM AND THE VALUE OF EACH SUCH TRANSACTION OR CLASS OF SUCH TRANSACTION; (D) IN FORM 3CEB IN THE AUDIT REPORT OR U/S 92D(3) OR U/S 92CA(2) (E) A DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNCTIONS PERFORMED, RISKS ASSUMED AND ASSETS EMPLOYED OR TO BE EMPLOYED BY THE ASSESSEE AND BY THE ASSOCIATED ENTERPRISES INVOLVED IN THE INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTION; (E) SAME - (F) A RECORD OF THE ECONOMIC AND MARKET ANALYSES, FORECASTS, BUDGETS OR ANY OTHER FINANCIAL ESTIMATES PREPARED BY THE ASSESSEE FOR THE BUSINESS AS A WHOLE AND FOR EACH DIVISION OR PRODUCT SEPARATELY, WHICH MAY HAVE A BEARING ON THE INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS ENTERED INTO BY THE ASSESSEE; (F) SAME (G) A RECORD OF UNCONTROLLED TRANSACTIONS TAKEN INT O ACCOUNT FOR ANALYZING THEIR COMPARABILITY WITH THE INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS ENTERED INTO, INCLUDING (G) SAME ITA NO.1330 /DEL/2011 5 5 A RECORD OF THE NATURE, TERMS AND CONDITIONS RELATING TO ANY UNCONTROLLED TRANSACTION WITH THIRD PARTIES WHICH MAY BE OF RELEVANCE TO THE PRICING OF THE INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS; (H) A RECORD OF THE ANALYSIS PERFORMED TO EVALUATE COMPARABILITY OF UNCONTROLLED TRANSACTIONS WITH THE RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTION; (H) SAME (I) A DESCRIPTION OF THE METHODS CONSIDERED FOR DETERMINING THE ARMS LENGTH PRICE IN RELATION TO EACH INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTION OR CLASS OF TRANSACTION, THE METHOD SELECTED AS THE MOST APPROPRIATE METHOD ALONG WITH EXPLANATIONS AS TO WHY SUCH METHOD WAS SO SELECTED, AND HOW SUCH METHOD WAS APPLIED IN EACH CASE; (I) SAME - (J) A RECORD OF THE ACTUAL WORKING CARRIED OUT FOR DETERMINING THE ARMS LENGTH PRICE, INCLUDING DETAILS OF THE COMPARABLE DATA AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION USED IN APPLYING THE MOST APPROPRIATE METHOD, AND ADJUSTMENTS, IF ANY, WHICH WERE MADE TO ACCOUNT FOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTION AND THE COMPARABLE UNCONTROLLED TRANSACTIONS, OR BETWEEN THE ENTERPRISES ENTERING INTO SUCH TRANSACTIONS; (J) SAME (K) THE ASSUMPTIONS, POLICIES AND PRICE NEGOTIATION S, IF ANY, WHICH HAVE CRITICALLY AFFECTED THE DETERMINATION OF THE ARMS LENGTH PRICE; (K) SAME (L) DETAILS OF THE ADJUSTMENTS, IF ANY, MADE TO TRANSFER PRICES TO ALIGN THEM WITH ARMS LENGTH PRICES DETERMINED UNDER THESE RULES AND CONSEQUENT ADJUSTMENT MADE TO THE TOTAL INCOME FOR TAX PURPOSES; (L) SAME - ANY OTHER INFORMATION, DATA OR DOCUMENT, INCLUDING INFORMATION OR DATA RELATING TO THE ASSOCIATED ENTE RPRISE, WHICH MAY BE RELEVANT FOR DETERMINATION OF THE ARM S LENGTH PRICE. (M) SAME - ITA NO.1330 /DEL/2011 6 6 (2) NOTHING CONTAINED IN SUB-RULE (1) SHALL APPLY I N A CASE WHERE THE AGGREGATE VALUE, AS RECORDED IN THE BOOKS OF ACCOUNT, OF INTE RNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS ENTERED INTO BY THE ASSESSEE DOES NOT EXCEED ONE CRORE RUPE ES : PROVIDED THAT THE ASSESSEE SHALL BE REQUIRED TO SUBSTANTIAT E, ON THE BASIS OF MATERIAL AVAILABLE WITH HIM, THAT INCOME ARISING FR OM INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS ENTERED INTO BY HIM HAS BEEN COMPUTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 92. (3) THE INFORMATION SPECIFIED IN SUB-RULE (1) SHALL BE SUPPORTED BY AUTHENTIC DOCUMENTS, WHICH MAY INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING : (A) OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS, REPORTS, STUDIES AND DA TA BASES FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE OF THE ASSOC IATED ENTERPRISE, OR OF ANY OTHER COUNTRY; (B) REPORTS OF MARKET RESEARCH STUDIES CARRIED OUT AND TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS BROUGHT OUT BY INSTITUTIONS OF NATIONAL OR INTERNAT IONAL REPUTE; (C) PRICE PUBLICATIONS INCLUDING STOCK EXCHANGE AN D COMMODITY MARKET QUOTATIONS; (D) PUBLISHED ACCOUNTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS RE LATING TO THE BUSINESS AFFAIRS OF THE ASSOCIATED ENTERPRISES; (E) AGREEMENTS AND CONTRACTS ENTERED INTO WITH ASS OCIATED ENTERPRISES OR WITH UNRELATED ENTERPRISES IN RESPECT OF TRANSACTIO NS SIMILAR TO THE INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS; (F) LETTERS AND OTHER CORRESPONDENCE DOCUMENTING A NY TERMS NEGOTIATED BETWEEN THE ASSESSEE AND THE ASSOCIATED ENTERPRISE; (G) DOCUMENTS NORMALLY ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH V ARIOUS TRANSACTIONS UNDER THE ACCOUNTING PRACTICES FOLLOWED. (4) THE INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS SPECIFIED UNDER S UB-RULES (1) AND (2), SHOULD, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, BE CONTEMPORANEOUS AND SHOULD E XIST LATEST BY THE SPECIFIED DATE REFERRED TO IN CLAUSE (IV) OF SECTION 92F: PROVIDED THAT WHERE AN INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTION CONTINUES TO HAVE EFFECT OVER MORE THAN ONE PREVIOUS YEAR, FRESH DOCUMENTATION NE ED NOT BE MAINTAINED SEPARATELY IN RESPECT OF EACH PREVIOUS YEAR, UNLESS THERE IS ANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE NATURE OR TERMS OF THE INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTION, IN THE ASSUMPTIONS MADE, OR IN ANY OTHER FACTOR WHICH COULD INFLUENCE THE TRANSFER PRICE, AND IN THE CASE OF SUCH SIGNIFICANT CHANGE, FRESH DOCUMENTATIO N AS MAY BE NECESSARY UNDER SUB-RULES (1) AND (2) SHALL BE MAINTAINED BRINGING OUT THE IMPACT OF THE CHANGE ON THE PRICING OF THE INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTION. (5) THE INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS SPECIFIED IN SUB- RULES (1) AND (2) SHALL BE KEPT AND MAINTAINED FOR A PERIOD OF EIGHT YEARS FROM THE END OF THE RELEVANT ASSESSMENT YEAR. 5.1 AS IS EVIDENT FROM THE AFORESAID RULE 10D, D OCUMENTS AND INFORMATION PRESCRIBED THEREUNDER ARE VOLUMINOUS AND IT WOULD ONLY BE IN RARE CASES THAT ALL THE CLAUSES OF AFORESAID SUB-RULES WOULD BE ATTRACT ED. IT WOULD ALL DEPEND UPON ITA NO.1330 /DEL/2011 7 7 THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE, MORE PARTI CULARLY THE NATURE OF INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS CARRIED OR SERVICES INVO LVED. LIKEWISE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS, OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS, REPORTS, MARKET R ESEARCH STUDIES, TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS OF GOVERNMENT OR OTHER INSTITUTE OF NA TIONAL OR INTERNATIONAL REPUTE, AND ALL THE DOCUMENTS MENTIONED IN RULE 10D(3) MAY NOT BE NECESSARY IN CASE OF EVERY ASSESSEE. APPLICATION OF ONE OR MORE CLAUSES OF SUB-RULE (3) WOULD DEPEND UPON FACTS & CIRCUMSTANCES INVOLVED IN THE INTERNA TIONAL TRANSACTIONS. APPARENTLY, THE ASSESSEE AND THE TAX AUTHORITIES H AVE TO APPLY THEIR MIND TO SEE AS TO WHAT INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS PRESCRIBED IN SUB-RULES OF RULE 10D AND WHICH PARTICULAR CLAUSE ARE RELEVANT AND THEREFORE, NECESSARY FOR DETERMINING ALP. THE CONSIDERATION OF THESE ASPECTS IS MATERIAL BEFORE ISSUING NOTICE U/S 92D(3) OF THE ACT, IF IT IS TO SERVE ITS PURPOSE. I N FACT, THE INITIAL INFORMATION RELATING TO INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS IS GATHERED FROM THE ASSSESSEE IN THE PRESCRIBED AUDIT REPORT IN FORM 3CEB IN TERMS OF PR OVISIONS OF SEC. 92E OF THE ACT. ON THE BASIS OF FORM 3CEB, AO DETERMINES THE QUESTION AS TO WHETHER TOTAL VALUE OF THE TRANSACTIONS IS MORE OR LESS THAN RS 5 CRORE (NOW ENHANCED TO RS 15 CRORE) TO CONSIDER THE QUESTION WHETHER OR NOT DETE RMINATION OF ALP IS TO BE REFERRED TO THE TRANSFER PRICING OFFICER (TPO). IF THE TOTAL VALUE EXCEEDS THE PRESCRIBED LIMITS, THE AO HAS TO REFER THE MATTER T O THE TPO. SINCE THE INFORMATION PRESCRIBED UNDER RULE 10D IN DIFFERENT COLUMNS IS VOLUMINOUS & ALTERNATIVE , IT HAS TO BE EXAMINED AS TO WHAT INFO RMATION, FROM WHICH CLAUSE, IS REQUIRED ON THE FACTS OF THE GIVEN CASE. ARMED WITH THE PRESCRIBED INITIAL INFORMATION AND IN THE LIGHT OF DETAILS OF INTERNAT IONAL TRANSACTIONS UNDERTAKEN BY THE ASSESSEE AND THE METHOD EMPLOYED TO DETERMINE T HE ALP OF TRANSACTIONS, FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ARE CONDUCTED TOWARDS DETERMINA TION OF ALP IN TERMS OF PROVISIONS OF SEC. 92C ,92CA & 92D OF THE ACT. SEC . 271AA STIPULATES PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO KEEP AND MAINTAIN INFORMATION AND DO CUMENT IN RESPECT OF INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTION WHILE SEC. 271G PROVIDES FOR PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO FURNISH INFORMATION OR DOCUMENT UNDER SECTION 92D OF THE AC T. HOWEVER, SEC. 273B OF THE ACT PROVIDES THAT PENALTY UNDER THESE PROVISIONS SHALL NOT BE IMPOSABLE IF THE ASSESSEE ESTABLISHES REASONABLE CAUSE. ITA NO.1330 /DEL/2011 8 8 5.2 IN THE INSTANT CASE, WE ARE CONCERNED WITH LEVY OF PENALTY U/S 271G OF THE ACT FOR FAILURE TO FURNISH INFORMATION / DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SUB-SECTION (3) OF SECTION 92D, WHICH STIPULATES THAT THE SAID PROVIS ION CAN BE APPLIED IN THE FOLLOWING CIRCUMSTANCES: (I) IN THE COURSE OF THE PROCEEDINGS UNDER THE ACT BEFORE THE ASSESSING OFFICER OR THE COMMISSIONER (APPEALS). (II) ANY DOCUMENTS OR INFORMATION PRESCRIBED UNDER SUB-SECTION (1) MAY BE REQUIRED. (III) REQUIRED TO BE FURNISHED UNDER SUB-SECTION (3 ) WITHIN 30 DAYS (AS EXTENDED BY ANOTHER 30 DAYS) FROM THE RECEIPT OF NO TICE ISSUED IN THIS REGARD. 5.21 IN TERMS OF PROVISIONS OF SEC. 92D(3) OF THE ACT, THE AO MAY REQUIRE (FROM ANY PERSON) ANY INFORMATION OR DOCUMENT AS MAY BE P RESCRIBED. THE WORD ANY INFORMATION OR DOCUMENT DOES NOT MEAN ALL THE DO CUMENTS PRESCRIBED UNDER RULE 10D OF THE IT RULES,1962. THE WORD REQUIRED IS IMPORTANT AS IT RULES OUT OPTION WITH THE ASSESSEE AND MAKES IT OBLIGATORY TO FURNISH THE REQUISITE INFORMATION. AFTER HAVING A REPORT IN FORM NO. 3CEB IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, NEXT STEP IS TO ISSUE NOTICE U/S 92CA(2) OF THE ACT TO THE A SSESSEE TO PRODUCE EVIDENCE IN SUPPORT OF ALP. UNDER SUB-SECTION (2) OF SECTION 92 CA OF THE ACT, EVIDENCE IN SUPPORT OF ALP MAY INCLUDE INFORMATION AND DOCUMENT S REFERRED TO IN SUB-SECTION (3) OF SECTION 92D, WHICH ARE PRESCRIBED IN VARIOUS CLAUSES OF RULE 10D(1) AS AFORESAID. IF ON CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE PRODUCED BY THE ASSESSEE, THE TPO IS SATISFIED THAT ALP HAS BEEN PROPERLY AND CORRECTLY DETERMINED BY THE ASSESSEE, IT IS THE END OF THE MATTER. HOWEVER, IF COMPLETE INF ORMATION IS NOT FURNISHED, OR OTHERWISE, TPO IS OF THE VIEW THAT MORE INFORMATION ON SPECIFIED POINTS IS REQUIRED FROM THE TAXPAYER, THE TPO CAN ISSUE NOTIC E UNDER SUB-SECTION (3) OF SECTION 92D. TPO CAN ALSO ISSUE NOTICE U/S 92CA(3) OF THE ACT, DEPENDING UPON THE FACTS OF THE CASE AND THE INFORMATION NEEDED. O NLY IN THE EVENT OF FAILURE OF THE ASSESSEE TO SUPPORT ITS ALP BY FILING NECESSARY EVIDENCE, QUESTION OF ITA NO.1330 /DEL/2011 9 9 REQUIRING ASSESSEE TO FURNISH PRESCRIBED INFORMATIO N WOULD ARISE. THERE IS NO RATIONALITY IN REQUIRING INFORMATION OR DOCUMENTS F ROM THE ASSESSEE FIRST UNDER SECTION 92D(3) AND THEREAFTER, PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY TO THE ASSESSEE TO SUPPORT ITS ALP, AS OBSERVED IN CARGIL INDIA PRIVATE LTD.(SUPRA) MOREOVER, HAVING REGARD TO PURPOSE OF THE REGULATIONS, THE NOTICE U/S 92D(3) M UST REQUIRE SPECIFIC INFORMATION OR DOCUMENTS WHICH THE ASSESSEE FAILED TO FURNISH U /S 92CA(2) OF THE ACT BUT WHICH ACCORDING TO THE TPO ARE NECESSARY FOR DETERM INATION OF ALP OF INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS. THEREFORE, NOTICE U/S 92D(3) CANNOT BE VAGUE BUT MUST REQUIRE SPECIFIC INFORMATION AND HAS TO BE CON FINED TO THE FURNISHING OF INFORMATION OR DOCUMENT AS MAY BE PRESCRIBED. FUR THER, THERE IS NO RESTRICTION OF FURNISHING PRESCRIBED INFORMATION IN RESPONSE TO A NOTICE U/S 92CA(2) OF THE ACT TO SUPPORT THE COMPUTATION OF ALP BY THE ASSESSEE. HOW EVER, THERE IS NO AUTHORITY U/S 92D(3) WITH THE T.P.O. TO REQUIRE THE ASSESSEE TO FURNISH NON-SPECIFIED INFORMATION OR SUCH INFORMATION OR DOCUMENT ALREADY FILED BY THE ASSESSEE OR USE OF THE PROVISION, WITHOUT ASKING THE ASSESSEE TO SU PPORT FIRST ITS ALP OF INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS. IN NUTSHELL, APPLICATI ON OF MIND TO ASCERTAIN AND CONSIDERATION OF MATERIAL ON RECORD AND TO SEE WHAT FURTHER INFORMATION ON SPECIFIC POINTS IS REQUIRED, IS ESSENTIAL BEFORE ISSUING NOT ICE U/S 92D(3) OF THE ACT TO THE ASSESSEE. IT IS NOT A ROUTINE NOTICE, WHICH CAN BE CASUALLY ISSUED CALLING FOR ANY INFORMATION OR ALL PRESCRIBED INFORMATION. WHERE TH E ASSESSEE HAS OPTION TO SELECT RELEVANT INFORMATION, IT IS NOT A NOTICE U/S 92D(3) AS OPTION AND WORD REQUIRE DO NOT GO TOGETHER. 5.3 IN THE INSTANT CASE, THE TPO ISSUED FIRST NO TICE ON DECEMBER 13, 2007 U/S 92CA(2) AND 92D(3) OF THE ACT, SEEKING INFORMATION AND EVIDENCE BY 10.1.2008. THE DATE OF SERVICE OF THIS NOTICE IS NOT KNOWN NOR IT IS EVIDENT AS TO WHETHER OR NOT TIME TO SUBMIT INFORMATION WAS EXTENDED. THE T PO MENTIONED IN AN OFFICE NOTE THAT TRANSFER PRICING REPORT WAS FILED ON 26.2 .2008.THERE IS NO FINDING IN THE ORDER OF THE TPO OR THE AO AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE SAID REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE EXTENDED TIME STIPULATED ,IF ANY ,IN THE NOTICE .IN ANY CASE, IN FIRST PARA OF THE NOTICE, THE TPO ASKED THE ASSESSEE TO SUPPORT AND SUBSTANTIATE THE COMPUTATION OF ALP IN INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS AS REQUIRED BY SECTION 92CA(2) OF THE ACT. IN NEXT PARA, THE T.P.O. FURTHER REQUIRED TO FURNISH I NFORMATION INCLUDING THE BALANCE ITA NO.1330 /DEL/2011 10 10 SHEET, PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT, STATEMENT OF COMPUT ATION OF INCOME, AUDIT REPORT, TAX REPORT AND ALSO, INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS MAI NTAINED AS PRESCRIBED U/S 92D OF INCOME-TAX ACT, 1961 READ WITH RULE 10D OF I NCOME-TAX RULES WITHOUT SPECIFYING ANY PARTICULAR INFORMATION UNDER ANY OF THE CLAUSE OF RULE 10D OF THE IT RULES,1962. THE AFORESAID NOTICE WAS A NOTICE U /S 92CA(2) OF THE ACT BUT THE TPO BY ASKING FURTHER INFORMATION MADE IT A NOTICE U/S 92CA(3). ONLY UNDER ABOVE SUB-SECTION, TPO CAN CALL FOR INFORMATION LIK E BALANCE SHEET, P&L ACCOUNT, AND AUDIT REPORT, WHICH ALREADY STOOD FILED AND WHI CH ARE UN-PRESCRIBED. SUCH UNSPECIFIC INFORMATION COULD NOT BE REQUIRED U/S 92 D(3). WHY AND HOW INFORMATION ALREADY FURNISHED AND COULD BE OBTAINED FROM AO WAS REQUIRED OR NEEDED, IS NOT CLEAR FROM THE NOTICE OR OTHER MATERIAL AVAILABLE O N RECORD. APPARENTLY, THE NOTICE WAS ISSUED IN A CASUAL MANNER, WITHOUT EXAMINING RE CORDS OF THE ASSESSEE NOR EVEN NATURE OR DETAILS OF INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTION S. THUS, THERE WAS TOTAL LACK OF APPLICATION OF MIND AS TO WHAT INFORMATION WAS REQU IRED IN THIS CASE. IT WAS A OMNIBUS NOTICE WITHOUT ANY REGARD TO UNWARRANTED HE AVY BURDEN IT WAS LIKELY TO PLACE ON THE ASSESSEE, NOT AUTHORIZED U/S 92D(3) OF THE ACT. IT WAS AN UNINTELLIGIBLE NOTICE WHERE ALL THE INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS MAINTAINED UNDER RULE 10D OF INCOME-TAX RULES,1962 WERE REQUIRED IN ADDITION TO THE INFORMATION REFERRED TO ABOVE. THERE IS NOTHING TO SUGGEST AS T O WHETHER ANY OTHER NOTICE WAS ALSO ISSUED. IN ANY CASE, THE TPO OBSERVED THAT THE DOCUMENTATION PRESCRIBED UNDER RULE 10D OF THE INCOME TAX RULES WAS SUBMITTED AND PLACED ON RECORD. 5.31 AFTER REFERRING TO THE INTERNATIONAL TRANSA CTIONS , THE TPO FURTHER OBSERVED 4. THE TRANSFER PRICING DOCUMENTATION WHICH CONTAI NS THE FUNCTIONAL AND ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF COMPARABLES AND OF ASSESSEE,HA S BEEN EXAMINED AND PLACED ON RECORD. 5. IN VIEW OF THE FUNCTIONAL AND ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF THE ASSESSEE AND OF COMPARABLES, NO ADVERSE INFERENCE IS DRAWN OF THE I NTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS UNDERTAKEN BY THE ASSESSEE DURING THE FY 2004-05 ITA NO.1330 /DEL/2011 11 11 5.4 . IN THE LIGHT OF AFORESAID FINDINGS OF THE T PO, THE LD. CIT(A) CONCLUDED THAT PENALTY IS UNCALLED FOR. IN THE PENALTY ORDER PASSE D BY THE AO, THERE IS NOTHING TO SUGGEST AS TO WHICH PARTICULAR INFORMATION OR DO CUMENT WAS SUBMITTED BY THE ASSESSEE BELATEDLY NOR THE EXACT NATURE OF DEFAULT HAS BEEN BROUGHT OUT. IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, WE ARE OF THE OPINION THAT ABOVE ME NTIONED NOTICE CANNOT BE TREATED AS VALID AND LEGAL TO JUSTIFY APPLICATION O F PROVISION U/S 271G OF THE ACT AND LEVY OF PENALTY OF ` ` 22,20,100/- . THE OMNIBUS NOTICE ISSUED WITHOUT APPLICATION OF MIND AND WITHOUT CONSIDERING DOCUMEN TS ALREADY PLACED BY THE ASSESSEE AND WITHOUT CONSIDERING AS TO WHICH SPECIF IC CLAUSE OF SUB-RULE (1) OR OTHER SUB RULES WAS ATTRACTED OR WHICH RELEVANT INF ORMATION WAS NEEDED IN THIS CASE, CANNOT BE TREATED AS A VALID NOTICE FOR THE PURPOSE OF SEC. 271G OF THE ACT. UNDER SECTION 92D(3) OF THE ACT, A.O. OR CIT (APPEA LS) IS AUTHORIZED TO REQUIRE PRESCRIBED INFORMATION BUT HERE BOTH PRESCRIBED AND UN-PRESCRIBED INFORMATION LIKE BALANCE SHEET, PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT, COMPUT ATION OF INCOME ETC WAS ALSO REQUIRED TO BE FURNISHED FROM THE ASSESSEE BEFORE T HE ASSESSEE COULD FILE EVIDENCE UNDER SECTION 92CA(2) OF THE ACT. NOT ONLY PRIMARY DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO SUPPORT THE COMPUTATION OF ALP OF THE ASSESSEE BUT ALSO SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS DETAILED IN SUB-RULE (3) OF RULE 10D WERE REQUIRED TO BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CONSIDERING WHICH SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS OUT OF SEVERAL MENTIONED IN VARIOUS CLAUSES OF THE SAID SUB-RULE WERE AVAILABLE WITH THE ASSESSEE. THE ABOVE NOTICE ISSUED WITHOUT APPLICATION OF MIND AND WITHO UT CONSIDERING RELEVANCY AND REQUIREMENT OF ALL THE PRESCRIBED INFORMATION AND D OCUMENTS UNDER RULE 10D VITIATED THE LEGALITY OF THE NOTICE. WITHOUT ANY BA SIS OF ANY DEFAULT, NO ADEQUATE REPLY COULD BE FURNISHED BY THE ASSESSEE. THE FAILU RE, THEREFORE, OF THE ASSESSEE TO COMPLY SUCH NOTICES IN TIME CANNOT JUSTIFY LEVY OF PENALTY .IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY BASIS LEADING TO DEFAULT IN SUBMITTING DOCUM ENTS AND INFORMATION WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME TO ATTRACT PROVISIONS OF SECTION 27 1G OF THE INCOME-TAX ACT, ON FACTS ,WE FIND NO JUSTIFICATION IN THE LEVY OF PEN ALTY IN QUESTION. 5.5 IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING AND IN THE LIGHT OF VIEW TAKEN IN CARGIL INDIA PRIVATE LTD (SUPRA), ESPECIALLY WHEN THE REVENUE HAVE NOT P LACED BEFORE US ANY MATERIAL CONTROVERTING THE AFORESAID FINDINGS OF LEARNED CI T(A) SO AS TO ENABLE US TO TAKE ITA NO.1330 /DEL/2011 12 12 A DIFFERENT VIEW IN THE MATTER, WE ARE NOT INCLINED TO INTERFERE. THEREFORE, GROUND NOS.2 AND 2.1 IN THE APPEAL ARE DISMISSED. 6. GROUND NO.1 IN THE APPEAL BEING GENERAL IN NATU RE NOR ANY SUBMISSIONS HAVING BEEN MADE BEFORE US ON THIS GROUND, DOES NOT REQUIRE SEPARATE ADJUDICATION WHILE NO ADDITIONAL GROUND HAS BEEN RA ISED BEFORE US IN TERMS OF RESIDUARY GROUND NO.3 IN THE APPEAL, ACCORDINGLY, T HIS GROUND IS DISMISSED. 7. IN RESULT, APPEAL IS DISMISSED. ORDER PRONOUNCED IN OPEN COURT SD/- SD/- (C.L.SETHI) JUDICIAL MEMBER (A N PAHUJA) ACCOUNTANT MEMBER NS COPY OF THE ORDER FORWARDED TO: 1. M/S LEROY SOMER & CONTROLS (INDIA) (P) LTD., 222 , OKHLA INDUSTRIAL AREA, NEW DELHI-20 2. DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF INCOME-TAX, CIRCLE-4(1), ROOM NO. 407,CR BUILDING,IP ESTATE.NEW DELHI. 3. CIT CONCERNED 4. CIT(A)-XX, NEW DELHI 5. DR, ITAT, DELHI BENCH-D, NEW DELHI 6. GUARD FILE BY ORDER DEPUTY REGISTRAR ASSISTANT REGISTRAR ITAT, NEW DELHI